Not every couple is a parent to a child. But who said you couldn’t be a parent at all? While they might not have any blood relation with you, dogs can quickly fill that hole in your life. After all, they are tiny and fluffy children.
Having said that, if you follow the right strategies, having the happiest dog in your entire block won’t be difficult. However, like humans, parenting dogs also come with their fair share of challenges. So, here are some steps to follow to become a better parent to your dog.
Keep Your Dog in Good Shape
Keeping up with all the health metrics is a need for everyone. Similarly, dogs also need to take care of their physical health to stay at the top. You can try an exercise that allows you and your pup to leave the couch. You must buy a fitness tracker so that you can set your daily goals. The same tracker will allow you to monitor your dog’s general overall health.
And while doing so, make sure to train your pet right from its puppy stage. It goes without saying that they learn a few tricks on their own. But they need your guidance at all times. So, you need to train them and help them develop good behavior.
Measure Their Meals
Whenever finding food for your furry friend, make sure not to go crazy with all the products. Remember, every brand will try to sell the idea that theirs is the ideal choice. However, you must keep track of their portion size and total calories when deciding on dog food. Don’t forget that grain-free, certified organic is not always the best option.
You can find an online calorie calculator to give your dog an appropriate number of calories. Further, you must also supplement its diet with essential ingredients.
Prevent Them From Getting Bored
Even though you love your pet a lot, keeping them entertained all the time is not something you can do. But that doesn’t mean you should leave them bored the time you are not available. So, to avoid that, you must fill their room with toys.
Choose the products that stimulate their senses and keep them occupied. For instance, food dispensing toys are a great way to keep your dogs engaged for a long time. Who knows, they might spend their entire time playing with these toys.
Arrange a Playdate
Socialization is very critical for kids to become well-adjusted individuals, right? The same formula works for dogs as well. For instance, if you have a puppy, ensure that you take them into different environments, such as unfamiliar people/places. This will help them adjust well to other areas. Not only that, but doing so will allow your dog to form new friendships and socialize.
Take Care of Separation Anxiety
If you spot signs like destructive chewing, urination, or endless barking, your dog might face separation anxiety issues. In that case, you must supplement their diet with natural ingredients like CBD. For instance, as per the information on this site, https://cbddoghealth.com/product/ease-cbd-oil-for-dogs/, CBD is quite beneficial for your dogs in many ways. Another way is to leave your dog with something with a scent on it. They won’t feel lonely like this.
Take Care of Their Grooming
This is often the most stressful part of being a parent. The dogs might not be a fan of bathing in a tub. But regular bathing and grooming are essential to maintain their overall health. So, if they are not willing, try to associate this activity with a positive experience. For instance, you can feed them breakfast/ dinner during their bathing time. By doing so, you can engage them or distract them for a smooth and hassle-free bath.
Schedule is The Key
Like kids, dogs also benefit a lot from an everyday routine. Make sure to schedule their bedtime, playtime, and mealtimes. Not only that, but you must schedule their bathroom breaks as well. Try to keep doing things at the same time every day. To do that, you can set phone reminders. It’s not as daunting as you might think to plan your dog’s schedule. Remember that your pet’s meal must always come first.
Note: Dogs are cute but mischievous at the same time. You can not always ensure their safety on the road. But if you opt for a nylon collar or other options, you can easily find your pet without any hassles.
Wrapping Up
Having a dog by your side is quite beneficial in many ways. They help you navigate bad moods and bad days with those sloppy kisses. But at the same time, they need love and care to develop trust and bonding with you.
Besides the options mentioned above, you must take care of their regular nail trimming sessions as well. And take care of their routine vet appointments and vaccinations for a healthy and happy doggo child.
After all, dogs are like small toddlers who require attention and care. You must keep in mind all the factors to take care of the wellness of your dog.